While some are itching to get back into the office and ditch the remote work lifestyle, others are using extended periods of remote work to their advantage. Using the reality of remote work as an opportunity to travel, whether moving permanently to another country or location in the US or continuously moving around the world, is becoming increasingly common even for those with more traditional occupations. The recent push for remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged professionals to change their work lifestyles and become digital nomads (people who use technology to earn a living and often work remotely to conduct their life in a nomadic manner) for their current professions and companies.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans began expressing a desire to work remotely, remote work now seems to remain prevalent in staggering numbers. As National Geographic reports, companies have reevaluated work culture after months of remote work; one survey indicated that 82% of company leaders plan to offer remote work at least part-time after the pandemic. While more progressive employers had already allowed workers to work remotely and lead the digital nomad lifestyle, it has now become more mainstream among many occupations of varying company sizes in a variety of different fields. Forbes reports that before COVID-19, only around 7% of US employees worked remotely, while now at least two-thirds of Americans have adapted to a remote work lifestyle. Especially as more and more companies announce changes in their remote work policies for next year due to COVID-19, the traveling remote work lifestyle seems even more appealing.
While it may seem perfect to get on a plane and begin working from a tropical island, there are some limitations when it comes to being a digital nomad, especially in the age of COVID. One obvious limitation is the pandemic itself; travelers must be increasingly wary of their own behaviors as well as the policies and mandates of the places they intend to travel to. Currently, the number of places available to travel to and work remotely is limited; many cities and states have banned short-stay vacations and many international destinations have banned U.S. citizens from entering. Additionally, many areas have mandatory quarantines, which is something to heavily consider when choosing a travel destination.
Despite these limitations, there are still many options for those who wish to transform their work experience, and many professionals may want to seriously consider the digital nomad lifestyle as more and more companies plan to extend remote work indefinitely. As Business Insider reports, American Express and Google have extended their remote work policies so that employees do not have to return to offices until June 2021; Google employers are also considering accommodating remote work indefinitely. The idea of permanent remote work also seems to be growing among employees as well; Business Insider reports that more than half of Americans want to continue to work remotely and two-thirds of companies may make their pandemic remote work policies permanent.
One consideration for professionals who wish to travel or make a permanent move away from their company offices is that travel destinations may be limited during COVID. Still, many destinations are encouraging remote workers to come to their countries. According to Forbes, many countries that have suffered financially in recent months due to the pandemic are welcoming long-term travelers such as digital nomads because of economic prospects. Forbes reports that Barbados, Bermuda, Estonia are welcoming remote workers; several other countries such as Jamaica, Mexico, Albania, Costa Rica, and the Czech Republic are allowing American remote workers to stay on extended visas, even if they are not currently open to US passport holders. Regardless, remote workers still have opportunities to travel domestically, leaving more time to visit family and friends or relocate to be near their loved ones.
The revolutionization in the workforce occurring through the increased acceptance of remote work may be just one unanticipated opportunity created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we have the capabilities to work remotely (and do it well) for extended periods, professionals are equipped to make extended remote work a top priority. It seems as if through the time taken to be remote during the pandemic, we’ve learned that it’s not necessarily about where you work physically; it’s about your productivity and drive while working remotely. Remote work might be something to consider as you engage in future job searches and learn more information about your company’s immediate and future policies regarding remote work. As long as this is a lifestyle that is both affordable and safe, maybe we can all find ourselves working just as efficiently as always, but out of the office and on a beach on the other side of the world.